Movie Review: 'The Social Network'

Who wants to be a millionaire? How about a billionaire? I would say it’s fair to assume everyone does. Well, in an age where everyone is looking for that get rich quick scheme, Mark Zuckerberg is idealized by his feat. Released in theaters on October 1, 2010, “The Social Network,” is the story of the creation of Facebook and all the drama that came along with it. Directed by David Fincher, who also directed Fight Club and Seven; The Social Network is without a doubt a portrayal of Fincher’s excellence. It is as instinctively perspective as it is rousing, also Fincher adds some dark humor to illustrate the dilemma the founders of Facebook had to go through as well as to demonstrate Zuckerberg’s uncanny and eccentric personality. It isn’t common when you see an actor depict a real life person so accurately, that’s why it is truly mind blowing when you see Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in this movie. Justin Timberlake also makes an appearance by portraying flamboyant Napster founder and mentor to Zuckerburg, Sean Parker.

As a current college student I hear of some students who are trying to start the next big thing so I found it quite interesting when watching The Social Network at the fact that the movie portrays college life so accurately. The reason this movie was so intriguing to me was because of how easily I was able to relate and put myself, as well as numerous college students, into Zuckerberg’s inner circle. The arousing effect that this movie has, and had on me is that it evokes a creator inside you, and causes you to have more of an optimistic outlook on the world, as this movie makes it seem like you can create the next Facebook.

The first time you see Mark in the movie he is wearing his classic hoodie with flip flops while obstinately talking to his girlfriend, Erica, in a bar. As a viewer I could feel Erica’s exhaustion as she tries to have a conversation with Mark as he calls her delusional, giving her sardonic looks on top of having multiple topics of discussion with her. The two quickly become foes as Erica is brusquely honest with Mark about the way he is alongside women, which causes him to start this website that compares the “hotness” of Harvard women, which became a template for Facebook. The movie quickly takes a dark turn when Mark launches Facebook, as he has to deal with various legal disputes with the Winklevoss twins claiming their share in Facebook’s profits due to their “part” in creating Facebook, and with the co-founder, and his best friend, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield). The movie shifts from Harvard’s college campus to Palo Alto, California as Mark is under the incantation of boastful mentor Sean Parker, and establishes his headquarters.

To some this film can be a tad tedious at times, as it is filled with legal proceedings. Though these proceedings are filled with witty rebukes, the repetition of these scenes can get tiresome. In a movie filled with betrayal, wit, and success, this is the perfect film for upcoming and college students. After the first time I saw The Social Network I was filled with such an optimistic entrepreneurial feeling, that I wanted to go out and find the next big thing, and if you see this movie too you’ll feel as great as I did.